Holding steady.
Popularity of Gustaf since 1880
Babies named Gustaf per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1917, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Gustaf's real moment was 1884.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 66 |
| 1890s | 66 |
| 1900s | 55 |
| 1910s | 149 |
| 1920s | 116 |
| 1930s | 35 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 33 |
| 1960s | 10 |
| 1970s | 12 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 43 |
| 2000s | 61 |
| 2010s | 50 |
| 2020s | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Gustaf is a Scandinavian royal name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1880. Its peak year was 1884, when it saw its highest usage. Although it has not ranked in the top 1000 in recent decades, it has maintained a stable presence in the birth data. The name is a variant of Gustav, which has deeper roots in Swedish nobility. Its trajectory shows consistent but low usage, primarily among families with Scandinavian heritage.
Gustaf is a Scandinavian form of Gustav, derived from the Old Swedish elements 'gaut' (Geat, a member of a North Germanic tribe) and 'stafr' (staff). The name was borne by several Swedish kings, including Gustav Vasa, who led the Swedish Reformation in the 16th century. In Sweden, it has been a royal name for centuries, though its popularity in the United States peaked in the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Gus, Gösta
Sibling names for Gustaf
Names that share Gustaf's style, for a brother or sister.
